Columns & Opinions

‘It’s always something’

‘It’s always something’

‘It’s always something’

When the idea came upon me to write on the following topic, my serious side was highjacked by the memory of a comedy sketch I saw long ago. I do hope this column’s faithful readers also share an abandoned sense of humor.
Call it ‘poor boy’s itinerary’ of vacation

Call it ‘poor boy’s itinerary’ of vacation

Call it ‘poor boy’s itinerary’ of vacation

(An oldie but a goody from our late editor Mike Brown from 2010 because we miss him around here.) The Brown family has done its duty so far as jury duty is concerned this year. We just received our fourth call of the last six months. My wife, Sue, has served on two of the juries.
Another funny one from Ashley Karl

Another funny one from Ashley Karl

Another funny one from Ashley Karl

FALLING FAR FROM THE TREE Ineeded some rest and boy did I get it. I took last Thursday off and did absolutely nothing all day long after sleeping until nearly 11 a.m. I think my body was trying to tell me something. Friday was essentially the same except that I did work for a little bit.

Heated rhetoric

After a day of horror, a call for civility The attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump was likely the work of a mentally ill loner, but it’s still indicative of a troubled society.
Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

So many volunteers made the sesquicentennial a lot of fun There are a whole lot of volunteers who need to be thanked for planning and executing all of the sesquicentennial events of the past two weeks.
The party is over for 50 years

The party is over for 50 years

The party is over for 50 years

It was a fun two weeks celebrating our town’s sesquicentennial, but I sure am tired. I think I went to almost every event, but the ones I couldn’t get to I made plans for someone else to take pictures. We have two more picture pages this week just like we did last week.
Responsibility of public service

Responsibility of public service

Responsibility of public service

Ihad planned to write on another subject this week. The nurse and I spent a very nice Fourth of July with our children in Houston, where three of them currently live, celebrating our anniversary.

Looking back...

Through The Reporter Files 100 YEARS AGO It was a glorious day, the Fourth of July, and one never to be forgotten. The American Legion of Rockdale Post No. 358, scored a signal victory with their initial celebration.
Big company in a small town

Big company in a small town

Big company in a small town

Lord Tennyson said it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Similarly, having Alcoa in my hometown – even having closed 16 years ago – was a blessing for what was a small farming community.
A story of transformation with food

A story of transformation with food

A story of transformation with food

FALLING FAR FROM THE TREE Someone must take photos for the newspaper at all the sesquicentennial events and that someone is me. I’ve had a good time shooting at the events and we have lots of photos for you in this issue.